Dedicated to my beloved Kumu, who guided me to the path of hula and shared its profound wisdom.
From Motoe, Founder of Ka Hōkūlani HULA STUDIO
Hello. I’m Motoe, founder of Ka Hōkūlani HULA STUDIO.
These 25 years walking with hula—its light and its shadow—have shaped who I am today.
There were times I couldn’t dance kahiko, and days spent searching for light in silence.
Though they may have seemed like detours, they were in fact the essential foundation of both myself and this studio.
The quiet flame of hula continued to burn deep within me.
And when that light began to shine again, Ka Hōkūlani was born.
Today, I’d like to share a little of the path that this small flame illuminated.
It’s been over 25 years since I first met hula.
I began studying under a Japanese teacher who had trained with a kumu hula—once honored as the first woman ever accepted as a disciple by a legendary master.
The first time I saw ancient hula—kahiko—I felt a quiet tremble deep in my heart.
The sound of the ipu heke, the voice of the oli, the prayerful movements—
I was captivated by it all, and before I knew it, I was completely immersed.
Through my Japanese teacher, I was blessed with opportunities to learn directly from kumu in Hawai‘i.
Those days were filled with rigorous training and deep fulfillment.
Hula became more than dance—it became a time to face myself, a practice to center my heart.
I also experienced the graceful flow of ‘auana and the gentle melodies of the ukulele.
Before long, my world was painted in the colors of Hawai‘i.
Those passionate days turned into ten years.
Hula had become an inseparable part of my life.
But due to relocation, I had to leave the studio I had attended for many years.
I continued hula in my new home, but I couldn’t dance kahiko—and something felt missing.
Still, my love for hula never faded.
As I kept dancing, I began to hear the quiet voice of my heart:
“I want to dance kahiko again.”
That feeling moved my life forward.
I made the decision to step back from hula and spend time facing myself.
No studio, no pāʻū skirt—just quiet, peaceful days.
Even hearing hula music made my chest ache a little.
I even cut the long hair I had kept for years.
But that time wasn’t empty.
I encountered psychology and counseling, and came to deeply understand the importance of emotional safety.
If hula is an art that expresses the soul through the body, then what kind of space allows that soul to open safely?
That quiet, steady inquiry had begun.
One day, light unexpectedly entered from a new direction.
I learned of a hula teacher training class led by a kumu, and the moment I stepped onto the studio floor again—my heart trembled.
New teachers, reunited friends, and the continued study of psychology…
All of it came together within me, giving me the courage to return to the world of hula.
Now, as I attend classes where I can learn rich knowledge and technique in kahiko, I walk each day with a wish:
To create a space where people can face hula with peace of mind—body and heart aligned.
And that wish took shape as Ka Hōkūlani HULA STUDIO.
This studio does not belong to a specific lineage or carry formal titles like ‘ūniki.
But I believe that is not a weakness—it is our greatest strength.
In Hawai‘i, there is a proverb:
ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi
“All knowledge does not reside in one school alone.”
This saying has been a powerful affirmation of my path—learning from multiple teachers and walking my own way.
Not titles or genealogy, but the responsibility I’ve chosen to carry—that is the foundation of my work.
At this studio, I strive to share the essence of hula with care and sincerity,
And to gently support each person’s light as it blooms in safety.
The name “Hōkūlani” was gifted to me by the kumu who once opened the door to hula and guided me forward.
“You are like the brightest star shining in the heavens,” they said.
With those words held close to my heart, it is now my turn to help your star shine.
I truly look forward to the day your own hula story begins here, at Ka Hōkūlani HULA STUDIO.
